An east Mississippi correctional officer has been locked up for smuggling contraband into a jail.
Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins reports that detectives arrested Jerry Lewis on Wednesday for violations of various contraband items being introduced into the Lowndes County Detention Center.
Inmates confirmed to authorities that the officer had brought items including marijuana, cigarettes, pills, and lighters into the facility for their use. Detectives found that Lewis was paid on several separate occasions for the items.
Lewis admitted to his role in the crime and now faces charges for furnishing contraband items within a correctional facility, possession of a controlled substance, and felony conspiracy to commit a crime.
“As a correctional officer, you are held to a higher standard than the rest of the community. Lewis has lost my trust and faith, as well as that of the community,” Hawkins said. “He can no longer serve as a correctional officer as a result of his conduct. Lewis knew better. Now he has to experience the other side of lock-up.”
The former law enforcement officer is being held at the Oktihebba County Jail and is awaiting his initial appearance. No bond has been set at this time.
